We Asked Customers: The Top Dirty Spots They Notice in Retail Stores

Running a successful retail store involves setting up an atmosphere that can easily make people want to go back inside the store over and over again. On the other hand, there is something different that turns them away much faster than high prices or poor customer service: failing to clean. We asked customers through our survey what the dirtiest areas were that they noticed most often in retail spaces, and the results were surprising. Many pointed out fitting rooms, checkout counters, restrooms, and high-touch surfaces. In this blog, we’ll share these customer insights and show how professional retail cleaning services can help eliminate these problems, ensuring your retail store stands out for all the right reasons.

1. The Restroom Red Flag: How Professional Retail Cleaning Services Help

The overall feeling was that filthy restrooms left a very lasting negative impression. From sticky floors and full/overflowing trash cans to out-of-order/empty soap dispensers, such conditions are not just extremely unpleasant but are more about the lack of care in the business as a whole.

Why It Matters:

Dirty restrooms can run off customers and even garner bad reviews, especially in heavy-traffic retail stores in Chicago. Unappealing restrooms aren’t just a hygiene problem; they’re a brand problem.

Solution:

Professional retail cleaning services maintain the restrooms with great care. From sanitizing high-touch areas like door handles and faucets, to maintaining soap and paper towel dispensers, a professional team ensures restrooms remain pristine and inviting.

2. Fitting Rooms: A Forgotten Cleaning Zone

Fitting rooms are the sanctuaries of choice for making very important purchasing decisions and yet, ironically, usually represent one of the most neglected areas in retail cleaning. Dusty mirrors, dirty carpets, and items of abandoned clothing can turn what should be a positive shopping experience into a negative one.

What Customers Notice:

• Smudged mirrors and lighting that showcases dirt.
• Floors littered with tags, hangers, or dust.
• Lingering odors from poorly ventilated rooms.

The Solution:

Regular visits from professional retail cleaning services ensure fitting rooms are clean: mirrors shining, carpets vacuumed, and waste/clutter removed. A clean space will keep your customer’s focus on your product, not the dirt.

3. Checkout Counters and High-Touch Areas

Checkout counters are the most germ-carrying areas in retail stores, other than those mentioned above. People keep their items, bags, and even hands on them, which transfer dirt and bacteria instantly. Keyboards, card readers, and touch screens are hotspots for germs, too.

Why It Matters:

Sticky surfaces and cluttered counters make customers begin to wonder about the overall cleanliness of the store. This is important in cities like Chicago, where high foot traffic builds up dirt and germs quickly.

Solution:

Professional cleaners make sure high-touch areas such as checkout counters, credit card machines, and keyboards-are sanitized. Regular cleaning protocols not only give the store a better look but also enhance hygiene and ensure a safer shopping atmosphere.

4. Dusty Shelves and Product Displays

The other most common complaint from customers was dusty shelves and disorganized displays. Dust makes products look unappealing and also causes allergic reactions, which further makes the shopping experience uncomfortable.

What Customers See:

• Dust gathering on the shelves, especially at eye level.
• Smudges on the display cases or glass cabinets.
• Products that appear neglected due to poor upkeep.

The Solution:

A retail cleaning service does more than a surface clean; they will make sure the shelves and displays are free from dust and disorganization. With the right equipment, they’ll be able to get to the tiniest corners in your store to keep it clean.

5. Windows and Entryways: First Impressions Count

The storefront is the first thing a customer sees, and dirty windows or cluttered entryways can turn them off in an instant. Customers will notice streaky windows, dirty welcome mats, and debris just outside the entrance.

Why It Matters:

Professional retail cleaning services also include window cleaning, entryway maintenance, ensuring that your storefront glass is clean, floors are clean, and welcome mats are free of dirt for excellent first impressions upon entry.

The Solution:

Retail cleaning services by professionals will include window cleaning, maintaining the entryway. This ensures your storefront is thoroughly clean, including dirt-free floors for that first impression of quality the moment a customer enters.

6. Floors: Why They Need Professional Retail Cleaning Services

Sticky spills in grocery stores or scuffed floors in clothing boutiques, customers will notice unclean floors right away. This is particularly true for banks and fitness centers that see heavy foot traffic daily.

Customer Complaints:

• Stains and spills that have not been cleaned long enough.
• Scuffed-up or slippery floors that create slipping hazards.
• Carpets are visibly dirty.

How It Is Solved:

Professional cleaning teams possess all types of specialized floor-cleaning equipment to offer spotless floors. With regular mopping, vacuuming, and deep cleaning, retail spaces in Chicago can boast clean, safe, attractive floors despite the snow and slush during winter.

Why Choose Professional Retail Cleaning Services in Chicago?

Customers are quick to notice every little thing about cleanliness, and their perception can often make or break your business. Professional retail cleaning services help Chicago businesses in:

Increasing Customer Satisfaction: Shopping is easier and more pleasurable when a store is clean, leading to repeat customers.

Boosting Employee Morale: A clean working environment puts your employees in the right mood and raises their productivity level.

Maintaining Your Brand Image: Cleanliness is essential to retaining your brand’s image.

Make Cleanliness Your Competitive Advantage

At Power Bright Cleaning, you will find the best retail cleaning in Chicago. The professional team at Power Bright Cleaning understands the particular challenges of retail spaces and provides tailored solutions to ensure your business stays clean and appealing.

Contact Power Bright Cleaning Today!

Contact our team today at (312) 312-7866, or fill out our online form to schedule your professional retail cleaning services today and see how a spotless store will make all the difference.